One New Food: Butternut Squash and a Giveaway

Did you think that we gave up? That One New Food dropped off the face of the earth? Oh no. We’re too stubborn for that! Kristen and I took a break over the holidays, but with the start of a new year, we’re back at it! We’ve actually been at it for an entire month, but have decided to spare you the weekly posts and share at the end of each month instead.

One New Food: Butternut Squash

My family has slightly altered the way we’re going about One New Food. We’ve decided to choose one food and try it multiple times in a one month instead of trying one new food each week. We’re in hopes that repeated exposure will turn a try into a like.

We chose butternut squash as our One New Food for January, even though the kids have tried it before. Eric and Annelise love it, the boys can’t stand it, and I’m neutral. I know the big issue for the boys is the texture. Eric mashes it up with butter and pepper and it has a texture similar to mashed potatoes (another one the boys won’t touch).

Once we decided on our veggie of the month, I began to look for recipes. I found a bunch of promising ones that you can find on my #OneNewFood Pinterest board.

I decided to start with the Apple, Pecan, and Bacon Butternut Squash Hash from Urban Poser. I had to modify the recipe because of Samuel’s nut allergy (and because I didn’t have any green onions), but it was still pretty good. It had a nice sweet flavor that mixed well with the bacon. The boys didn’t care for it, which, due to the similarity to home fries (potatoes!), shouldn’t have surprised me.

Our next attempt was to make the squash the way that Eric and Annelise love it: mashed. You can imagine how it went over with the boys. Eli put it in his mouth and spit it out two or three times before he finally choked a tiny bit down. Nothing gets his gag reflex going like mashed…. anything.

Our third and last attempt for the month was to use the squash in Butternut Squash Buttermilk Pancakes from Blooming Glen Farm. I had to modify this recipe too, for Samuel’s dairy allergy, and I decided not to tell the kids what I was putting in the pancakes.

Samuel and Annelise were not fans,

but Eli loved them, even after he guessed what was in them.

“Mom, is there squash in these pancakes?”

“Why? Do they taste like squash?”

“No, but that’s our one new food this month.”

“Do you like them?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay, yes. There’s squash in them.”

“Yum!”

So while I wouldn’t consider the butternut squash to be a raving success, it wasn’t a total failure either. Honestly, I don’t think it will matter how many times I give it to the kids. Unless it’s hidden in something, the boys will be totally turned off by the texture.

I’m not sure what veggie we’ll choose for February, but my biggest goal next month is to have the kids try it more than three times. We’ll see if that makes a difference!

Giveaway Time!

This month we’ve teamed up with Vega One to give away a tub of their Chocolate Vega One Nutritional Shake protein powder and a shaker cup (a $50 value!). The powder is great in smoothies and the new formula tastes better than ever. It’s full of protein, and dairy and soy free. If you need some inspiration, try using it in this Chocolate Berry Bliss Smoothie recipe from Kristen. Wow.

Just take a picture of you or your kids trying one (healthy!) new food and share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #ONENEWFOOD (it helps if you tag Oh, Honestly and Mommy in Sports too!).

I somehow convinced my 6- yo that butternut squash = cheese. I made a frittata with eggs, cheese and squash so now he thinks squash is like cheese. He’s not 100% on board but will always try something new.